The City Council voted last night to approve $700,000 in post-Hurricane Sandy expenditures, spending that includes overtime costs for city employees.

Health and Human Services Director Leo Pellegrini told council members last night that the three city dump trucks are struggling to keep up with the amount of debris that needs to be picked up from residents.

Some 310 tons of trash was collected in the seven-day period following the superstorm, he said. In comparison, only 62 tons of trash was picked up in the city between Jan. 1 and Sept. 30.

Three waste management contractors Cali Carting, T. Farese Direct, and Galaxy Group were awarded seven-day contracts totaling $188,510 to help the city remove debris; but those contracts have now expired.

Pellegrini said the city is waiving permit fees for waste containers. Residents should call (201) 420-2012 for a permit.

Health Officer Frank Sasso said the city is still receiving a “large number” of calls from residents saying they still have no heat or power.

Sasso said the city has inspected food establishments across Hoboken and ordered spoiled food to be destroyed. He said 27 businesses need to be re-inspected before they can reopen.

Three day care facilities out of 21 cannot reopen until they are re-inspected because of flood damage, he said. The Hoboken Catholic Academy must also be re-inspected before it can re-open.

Public Safety Director Jon Tooke said 750 out of 834 cars that were identified as damaged and abandoned have been removed from city streets.

However, city officials said there are ongoing problems identifying the owners of cars, especially with some owners having no insurance and some having removed their license plates.

Assistant Business Administrator Stephen Marks said there are “many, many, many” lessons learned from the storm and the city will prepare a report to look into what can done to prepare the city better for future disasters.